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Top things to do this weekend . . . July 12-14

Enlarge ImageRequest to buy this photoEric Albrecht | DispatchThe streets of Columbus will be filled with hot rods like this 1950 Studebaker during the Goodguys PPG Nationals this weekend at the Ohio Expo Center.

This weekend brings some big name concerts, starting with Justin Bieber, as well as thousands of
hot rods, another WaterFire and the opening of the Franklin County Fair.

Here are some of the best bets for weekend activities.

* * *

ALL WEEKEND

-- Hot rods return

The 16th
Goodguys PPG Nationals will bring more than 6,000 hot rods from 34 states to town
this weekend. There also will be more than 500 exhibitors’ booths at the
Ohio Expo Center. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3
p.m. Sunday. Admission is $18, or $6 for age 7 to 12, free for age 6 and younger. Details at
1-925-838-9876 or
www.good-guys.com

-- Franklin County Fair

The
Franklin County Fair opens Saturday mornig and runs for the next week, offering
rides, entertainment, 4-H livestock shows and some fair traditions such as tractor pulls and a
demolition derby at the
Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard. Hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, but
open til 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays. Admission is $5, or $6 on July 19 and 20, with $4 tickets
available before the fair opens at the fairgrounds. Ride wristbands are $15 or $10 on Sunday.
Details at 614-876-7235 or
www.fcfair.org

-- Ohio wine festival

Taste wines from more than 20 Ohio wineries at the
North Market Food & Ohio Wine Festival, which also features cooking
demonstrations and live music all day Saturday and Sunday, with a special preview party on Friday
night. Hours are noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Preview party is at 7 p.m.
Friday. Preview party tickets are $25. Get details at 614-463-9664 or
www.northmarket.com

* * *

FRIDAY

-- Global dance

Ohio Dance, a global program, will include performers versed in steps from Africa,
Germany, India, Israel and the United States. The program will step off at noon Friday as part of
the Summer Fridays performing-arts series at
the Statehouse, Broad and High streets. Admission is free. If rain falls, the show
will be canceled. Visit
www.ohiostatehouse.org

-- Justin Bieber

No longer a minor, but still an idol,
Justin Bieber is back. Despite some recent trouble with the paparazzi, the
19-year-old Canadian is selling out concerts on his "Believe" world tour. The latest go-round finds
the pop star descending from the heavens wearing a pair of giant silver wings. Showtime is 7 p.m.
Friday at
Nationwide Arena. Details at 1-800-745-3000 or
www.nationwidearena.com

-- Free jazz

The hot Latin-jazz sound of
Yumbambe will be featured in a free Friday night concert at
Bicentennial Park as part of the Rhythm on the River series presented by the
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. Food and beverage sales being at 6:30 p.m. Music begins
at 8 p.m. Details at 614-645-3300 or
www.sciotomile.com/events/rhythm-on-the-river

* * *

SATURDAY

-- Cheap Trick

A string of hits in the 1970s and 80s brought fame to power-pop rockers
Cheap Trick. They will be in Columbus Saturday to headline the QFM96 Budweiser
Wing Zing at
Lifestyle Communities Pavilion. Other acts include the
Dan Orr Project, Willie Phoenix, McGuffey Lane and Led Zeppelin tribute act
Zoso. Doors open at 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $18 to $22. Details at
614-461-5483,
www.promowestlive.com

-- WaterFire on the Scioto

WaterFire Columbus is back, accompanied by a performance by bluegrass band
Grassinine. The music will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in
Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St., followed by the lighting of more than 30 wood-filled
braziers on the Scioto River at 8:30 p.m. At 9, rock-and-soul band
The Floorwalkers will take the stage. Admission is free. Call 614-299-9221 or
visit
www.waterfirecolumbus.com

-- Picnic with Natalie Merchant

Singer
Natalie Merchant has fronted the rock band 10,000 Maniacs, done solo recording and
sung at protests. She'll be in Columbus Saturday night to perform with the
Columbus Symphony in a
Picnic With the Pops concert at
Columbus Commons, E. Rich and S. High streets. Tickets are $23 for adults, $8 for
children. Gates open at 6 p.m., concert starts at 8 p.m. Details at 614-228-8600 or
www.picnicwiththepops.com

* * *

SUNDAY

-- Eighties revisited

Wear those big-shoulder-pad jackets and rock those mullets when
The Reaganomics perform 1980s rock and pop music from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday in the
Scioto Park Amphitheater, 7377 Riverside Dr., Dublin. Treats will be available.
Seating, however, won’t be, so take lawn chairs or blankets. The show is part of the Dublin Arts
Council’s 30th-annual Sundays at Scioto concert series. Admission is free. Call 614-889-7444 or
visit
www.dublinarts.org

-- fun. at the LC

The New York indie-pop trio known as
fun. returns to the
Lifestyle Communities Pavilion with a Grammy for "We Are Young" and a tour
schedule that will take them to Europe and Asia this summer. The Canadian pop duo Tegan and Sara
will open the sold-out show in the “festival” setting (aka the parking lot) at the LC. Doors open
at 7 p.m. Sunday. Details at 614-461-5483,
www.promowestlive.com

-- Free ragtime concert

?The
Whetstone Park of Roses will be the setting for a free concert by
Dr. Tony’s Original Ragtime Band, which will perform tunes connected to the
ragtime era at the turn of the 20th century. Showtime is 7 p.m. Sunday, no charge for admission.
Details at
www.clintonvillechamber.com